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PITTSTON — If it weren’t for newly installed smoke detectors in a city home, there may have been some fatalities when a fire struck in late 2017.

But because the Red Cross partnered with the Pittston City Fire Department for a smoke-alarm project, a potential catastrophe was averted.

The American Red Cross honored the Pittston City Fire Department for its first local “save” during Wednesday night’s council meeting.

“We (Red Cross) are very proud and honored to be able to honor Pittston City Fire Department and officials for partnering with us to help save a life,” said Bill Goldsworthy, executive director for the American Red Cross of Northeast Pennsylvania. “This was the first documented life save in Northeast Pa. with our Home Fire Campaign.”

Goldsworthy recalled hearing a call over his scanner about a working structure fire in Pittston.

“When I heard there was a fire, I hopped in my Red Cross car and went to the scene,” said the former West Pittston mayor. “Two women wrapped in a blanket immediately approached my car and thanked me because we installed smoke detectors in their home a few months prior.”

Pittston City Fire Chief James Rooney accepted the honor from Goldsworthy.

“I’m honored to accept this award,” said Rooney. “I contacted Bill because I heard of the program and he was more than willing to come.”

Goldsworthy offered to come back and install more smoke alarms in the city after the Red Cross installed over 200 in June 2017.

“Smoke alarms can make a huge difference,” the chief added. “I think it’s great that we are being proactive and going out into the community before something happens.”

Goldsworthy noted the Northeastern Pennsylvania chapter of the Red Cross is approaching nearly 10,000 free installed smoke alarms in Luzerne County.

“Smoke detectors last for 10 years,” Goldsworthy mentioned. “After that, the ionization chambers go bad. You still should replace them every 10 years minimum.”

He continued: “It’s the first defense in fire safety. It’s not the fire that kills people, it’s the smoke that kills. People need to realize that.”

In other business:

• Mayor Michael Lombardo proclaimed Saturday, Feb. 16, as “Lithuanian Independence Day” in the city. A ceremony will be held in the community room at the Greater Pittston Memorial Library at 11 a.m. Feb. 15, followed by the raising of the Lithuanian flag in association with the Knights of the Lithuania Council 143.

• Council approved a Special Events Permit fee and related services fees that will apply to occasions like the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Tomato Festival. Event coordinators and vendors will be required to pay an additional fee for extra services such as more police instead of the city footing the bill.

Pittston City Mayor Michael Lombardo thanked Bill Goldsworthy, executive director of the local chapter of the American Red Cross, for free smoke alarms installed in city homes.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/web1_Red-Cross-Award-Pittston-4-1-1-2.jpg.optimal.jpgPittston City Mayor Michael Lombardo thanked Bill Goldsworthy, executive director of the local chapter of the American Red Cross, for free smoke alarms installed in city homes. Tony Callaio | For Times Leader

Pittston Fire Chief James Rooney looks over an American Red Cross award he accepted on behalf of his department Wednesday for a smoke-detector project that helped save a life.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/web1_Red-Cross-Award-Pittston-3-1-1-2.jpg.optimal.jpgPittston Fire Chief James Rooney looks over an American Red Cross award he accepted on behalf of his department Wednesday for a smoke-detector project that helped save a life. Tony Callaio | For Times Leader

Bill Goldsworthy, executive director for the American Red Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania, presents the Red Cross’ ‘Sound the Alarm: Safe a Life Award’ to Pittston Fire Chief James Rooney at Wednesday’s city council meeting. Pittston firefighters partnered with the Red Cross to install free smoke detectors in homes, and one of the detectors helped save a life when a fire broke out in late 2017.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/web1_Red-Cross-Award-Pittston-2-1-1-2.jpg.optimal.jpgBill Goldsworthy, executive director for the American Red Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania, presents the Red Cross’ ‘Sound the Alarm: Safe a Life Award’ to Pittston Fire Chief James Rooney at Wednesday’s city council meeting. Pittston firefighters partnered with the Red Cross to install free smoke detectors in homes, and one of the detectors helped save a life when a fire broke out in late 2017. Tony Callaio | For Times Leader

By Dan Stokes

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Reach Dan Stokes at 570-991-6389 or on Twitter @ByDanStokes